Grand Theft Auto V Review

That is the question I usually find myself asking when I start one of the Grand Theft Auto games, where do I begin? Do I start with the story than tackle the side missions after? Do I drive around aimlessly for hours soaking up the scenery? It’s a beauteous, rewarding, and empowering collection of avenues to explore and just so happen to be the pillars of Grand Theft Auto V.

It has been 5 years since we have stepped into a proper GTA universe and Grand Theft Auto 5 is the most spectacular realization of what Rockstar could have hoped to accomplish. The virtual reconstruction of California as San Andreas is the closest thing to a living world I’ve ever experienced in a video game. The scale, attention to detail and breadth of experience has something for everyone while maintaining its brutal vision of a morally bankrupt society.

Grand Theft Auto has always had the player at the helm of one main character which until now has suited fans of the series just fine. Grand Theft Auto V abandons the idea of one main protagonist and replaces that tried and true convention with three—Michael, Trevor and Franklin. Each character brings unique perspective to not only the narrative, but the gameplay as well. All three characters are equipped with a special ability, giving them an edge in certain scenarios. Franklin has the ability to slow down time when driving, which proves very useful when evading cops at high speeds on the freeway. Trevor has the ability to become enraged (big surprise), allowing him to take more damage in combat sequences. Lastly Michael has the ability to focus while shooting, making headshots a breeze. The only issue I had with these abilities was remembering to actually use them, but when I did it got me out of a pinch or two. Try not to make the same mistake, but enough about that jazz, who are these guys anyways?

Michael is the “retired” successful criminal with a huge house and a dysfunctional family to occupy it (think Tony Soprano). His past transgressions against the civil world consistently haunt him throughout the game and while he tries to mitigate his own personal anguish he only serves to create more for those around him, especially his family. Franklin is the aspiring criminal who is too smart for those around him, well at least initially. He yearns for a better life and by better I mean one with more money in it, but he lacks the support from those who claim to have his best interests at heart. His naivety about the world outside of a criminal context serves as a detriment and blessing to him along the way. Than we have Trevor, the most capricious of the bunch. Trevor is disgusting, depraved, psychotic and entrepreneurial, but I’d be damned if he wasn’t one of the most entertaining and captivating characters ever written in a game. Initially he will be off putting to most, but you learn to cherish the moments Trevor is onscreen ranting about his demented outlook on society—I know I sure did. But above all else it is how Rockstar has woven these three characters together that make the narrative so compelling.

This feat is done in two ways, one is obviously through storytelling and the second comes in the form of character switching. We saw 2012’s Resident Evil 6 attempt a similar concept, but failed to effectively merge the plot or game mechanics into anything coherent.

Where Capcom stumbled Rockstar has succeeded swimmingly. I was skeptical of the idea at first, but for a game of this magnitude I don’t think any other approach would have worked. What reason would any of these characters have to travel outside their respective locales if it weren’t for the actions of another? The answer is none. Trevor was perfectly content cooking meth and running weapons in Blaine County. Franklin was fine repossessing cars for a meager wage in downtown Los Santos and Michael was comfortable watching old movies and drinking heavily in his cushy Vinewood estate. It only took but a few seemingly random events to bring this unlikely trio together. These subtle catalysts are just one of the many things that make GTAV such a special game.

When it comes to the character switching the player has the ability to shift between Michael, Trevor and Franklin during missions and free roaming--adding a wealth of diversity to how you execute mission objectives and how you explore the world. I’ll explain more about the swapping when I talk about the game’s heist missions.

Trevor, Michael and Franklin might take most of the spotlight, but the game has a wonderful ensemble of supporting characters that show off the range of the aforementioned three and provides excellent expositional inflection. Characters like Wade—the meth head juggalo with a heart of gold—showcases Trevor’s quasi magnanimous side while characters like Lamar are the antithesis of what Franklin wishes to be. Michael’s son Jimmy serves as a reflection of his failures as not only a father, but a husband and Jimmy’s actions—albeit poorly thought out—lunge Michael into action to right those wrongs. Than we have Lester, the man with the plan who knows how to rally the troops, but also manipulates the feeble minded to carry out his own vindictive agendas. There are so many more characters that round out this well told story and I could go on for days talking about them, but you will just have to experience them for yourself.

The characters of GTAV are far and away the largest component of the story, but there is a heavy dose of satire that glues all the pieces together. I could go into excruciating detail about the abundance of satire found in the game, but that would tread into some spoilerish territory. One thing that isn’t spoilerish, but is however highly satirical is the smartphone system. Each character has a smartphone and the game forces you to use it…a lot. Checking emails, reading texts, buying and selling stocks and hell even taking selfies if you so choose—it’s all there. We all use our smartphones way too much, so touché Rockstar for calling us out on it, but also for making it a functioning part of the game.

The mission structure in Grand Theft Auto 5 maintains a large majority of what players have come to know and expect from the series. There are basic story missions, side missions and an array of other things to accomplish, but what elevates GTAV to a new level is the implementation of heists. You have robbed banks and ripped off convenience stores in other GTAs, but not with this level of detail and execution.

The heists in GTAV serve as the game’s focal points. Each heist has two distinct permutations—go in quickly and quietly—or kick in the door going guns ablaze (sometimes replace the “kicking in door” with high explosives). Each option also opens up variations in the crew you select. Gunmen, drivers and hackers all will play a pivotal role in how well or poorly your heist goes off—it also affects your cut of the take so choose wisely. Once you selected your preferred course of action you enter the acquisition stage. Lester gives you a series of tasks you must accomplish before you perform the heist including but not limited to stealing vehicles, purchasing weaponry (or acquiring it), and gathering intel on your target location. Finish the prerequisites for the job and you are on your way to becoming a wealthy con man.

Remember when I was talking about character swapping before? With heists each character is tasked with performing either a specific objective or numerous ones--depends on the heist and how you planned it. Also the tasks and swapping will play to each character’s strengths. Franklin is the best driver of the bunch so he is usually tasked with being the getaway driver. Trevor is crazy so if a proverbial hole needs to be punched in the line of any opposition he’s your man. Michael handles any objective requiring a little more finesse—perhaps repelling out of a helicopter is a good example. Swapping also happens on the fly, giving the player the most distinct tactical advantage at any given time with the push of a button. It takes a little bit to get used to it, but once you have it down it becomes second nature.

Grand Theft Auto V has also seen a number of refinements in the gameplay department over its predecessor. Any reservations you had about this game playing like GTA IV you can put to rest. Everything has been overhauled—shooting, driving, flying, and taking cover to name a few. And all for the better mind you.

When Rockstar brought Liberty City to next-gen in GTA IV it was the pinnacle of open world creation. The vast majority of people were enamored by its detail, vibrancy and sentient NPCs that made it feel like a real city, but what sets GTA V apart from IV is that very word, city. GTAV is a living, breathing, and populous world from the bustling streets of Los Santos to the vast wilderness of Mount Chiliad and everything in between. The visual fidelity of the game world and its inhabitants is nothing short of amazing. How this game runs on current generation hardware is beyond my comprehension, but looks damn good and rarely loses its frame-rate. However you decide to navigate this dense world you will see people living out their daily lives whether it’s someone going for a brisk bicycle ride or performing street art at the pier, the world of San Andreas is never devoid of something to observe and appreciate.

When I said earlier that there is something for everyone I wasn’t joking. GTAV is chock full of activities ranging from taking Flight lessons at your local airport to playing 18 holes at the golf club—with a myriad of other activities scattered all over the map. One thing to note is that these activities are really fleshed out, they weren’t shoehorned in to simply add content, but to enhance that overarching theme of a living world. I spent well over 2 hours just playing tennis and while it’s not perfect, it’s a hell of a lot of fun.

San Andreas is filled with tons of things to see and do, but it’s the things that happen organically that creates an extemporaneous component to your travels. Most of the more humorous instances happen after swapping characters especially with Trevor. Waking up drunk next to dead bodies/farm animals or throwing a body into the river are just a few things you’ll have to prepare yourself to see when the time comes. It’s easy to overlook these things because of the game’s more climactic moments, but they contribute heavily to the minutia of the title.

Something that has become a paramount feature in GTA is its radio stations. They are back and better than ever offering a wide array of music including everything from Genesis to N.W.A. Not to mention the radio personalities and commercials. I have a personal fondness for DJ Pooh on West Coast Classics, always trying to sell me some s**t.

Grand Theft Auto as a series has established and maintained such a high pedigree of world building and narrative craftsmanship that it’s almost a given that its expectations for greatness are commensurate. In my 40 or so hour playthrough I’ve experienced a level of player agency unprecedented in any Grand Theft Auto prior while barely scratching the surface of what this game has to offer. There is an incredible amount of content not including the online component that has yet to launch. The sandbox of San Andreas is one that you’ll get lost in, one that you’ll savor, and is one that you’ll never forget. The story is witty, funny and above all else highly entertaining. Grand Theft Auto V might not be the last game worth playing this generation, but it’s certainly asserted itself as one of the best and one that you shouldn’t pass over.